As more and more states implement hands-free driving lawsCalifornia is the latest; with a new rule going into effect on July 1having a headset for the car is vital. While many cell-phone manufacturers include them in the box with handsets, they're usually of the wired variety, which can be a pain to negotiate when you're behind the wheel.

Instead, skip the messy wires and pick up a Bluetooth headset. The latest models we've reviewed offer a compelling balance of design, features, sound quality, and endurance. And unlike many prior models, most are comfortable to wear, too.

In This Roundup:

Aliph New Jawbone
The original Aliph Jawbone revolutionized the Bluetooth headset market in 2006 with its effective noise-cancellation circuitry, which the company had developed in accordance with DARPA military standards. The new model improves on the original's sound quality, and also downsizes it and simplifies the controls. Stay near an AC outlet or USB port, though, since it lasts less than 4 hours on a single charge.

Callpod Dragon Bluetooth headsets may be wireless, but walk more than 10 or 15 feet away from your cell phone and call quality drops markedly with most of them. Enter the Callpod Dragon, a pod-shaped headset that offers 40 to 50 feet of real-world range. You also get several charging options, multiple simultaneous device pairings, and a two-way mode for Dragon-to-Dragon headset communication with a buddy or colleague.

Iqua 603 Sun If you've had it with charging multiple gadgets every night, try the solar-powered 603 Sun. With its built-in, tiny solar panel the 603 charges whenever it's not in use, essentially offering unlimited standby time. It needs an initial charge to function, and a continuous 8-hour phone call will deplete its battery, but it can run seemingly forever otherwise. It sounds great, too.

Plantronics Discovery 925 Fashion mavens should head straight to the striking Discovery 925. Its sharp, funky-looking yet unobtrusive design incorporates a boom mic that helps the unit offer good voice quality in both directions while avoiding the audio compromises inherent in most ultracompact Bluetooth headsets. It doesn't quite measure up to the Voyager 520 in audio perfection. But if looks could kill, the 925 would be dangerous.

Plantronics Voyager 520 Plantronics is known for its solid, diverse stable of Bluetooth headsets. The Voyager 520 is one of the company's best, featuring excellent sound quality, a comfortable fit, and the ability to pair with two devices simultaneouslyfor example, you can pair both your mobile phone and your laptop, so as to switch between cellular and Skype calls. It's also bargain-priced at $89.95.

Samsung WEP700 The WEP700 is a good choice if you're looking for an ultracompact, comfortable headset. Samsung nails the one-size-fits-all idea, eschewing multiple ear loops and extra earbuds (which may be a problem for some). It sounds clear and even in both directions, no doubt aided by the unit's automatic volume control. But ignore the company's noise and echo cancellation claims, as the WEP700 did neither on my tests.

LG Decoy VX8610
The LG Decoy is a good, midrange slider phone for Verizon with something extra: a Bluetooth headset tucked into the back, so you'll always have it at the ready. The headset recharges when it's plugged into the phone and activates when it's removed. At around 1.5 inches long and 0.75 inch wide, it's pleasingly compact, and it performed well in quiet environments.

Jamie Lendino is the Editor-In-Chief of ExtremeTech.com, and has written for PCMag.com and the print magazine since 2005. Recently, Jamie ran the consumer electronics and mobile teams at PCMag, and before that, he was the Editor In Chief of Smart Device Central, PCMag's dedicated smartphone site, for its entire three-year run from 2006 to 2009. Prior to PCMag, he was a contributing editor for Laptop and mediabistro.com. His writing has also appeared in the print editions of Popular Science, Electronic Musician, and Sound and Vision,...
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